Readers' letters | Christmas spirit, champions and a loving couple

Saluting the spirit

I was standing in front of a big box store ringing a bell for the Salvation Army red kettle. An old couple shuffled out of the store and started across the parking lot while I tinkled away on that bell. They paused and then turned around and came back.

The old man had an oxygen pack on his shoulder and the hose ran up to his nose. He pulled out an old wallet with lacing around the edges like we used to make at summer camp. He fished out a $5 and as he stuffed it in the slot of the kettle he said, "The Salvation Army does good things." Then he thanked me for ringing the bell.

As I watched them make their way to their car through my tear-filled eyes I realized the Christmas spirit is alive and well. It can be found if you look for it. I'm going to go look again on Monday. Why not join me next year and sign up to ring yourself?

DANNY DOBSON

Louisville 40291 -

Real champions

Truly your Dec. 26 "The right stuff of real champions" editorial states our situation regarding sexuality and racism in the right way and with correct focus. As you write, we are not there, yet, but are trying to make our experiment in democracy an effort that includes all citizens as we proclaim, but does not.

I only wish it would have mentioned President Obama and his administration, which have shown real moral courage and political leadership to continue that struggle to make these opportunities available to all at an increasing rate. Our president's leadership in both style and content are the yin to Russia's Vladimir Putin's yang.

For that we should be very, very happy and proud, indeed. Internal forces of darkness, gloom, and doom notwithstanding, the sky is not falling and we are becoming a better, stronger society in spite of them all.

JOSEPH C. KOPACZ

Louisville 40205 -

50 years a couple

Today Bill and Carol Brannock will celebrate 50 happy years of marriage. For 50 years Billy Brannock has adored Carol so much that he has always put her needs far above his own and for those years Carol has done the same for him.

Raised in a small town, Billy was a World War II veteran and the only member of his Depression-era family to receive a college education. He came to Louisville in 1964 to teach and coach. New to town, a friend invited him to his church and wanted to introduce him to an eligible member of the church choir. This matchmaking friend told Billy she would be in the first row, third from the end. The woman he thought his friend was setting him up with was a sweet but disheveled woman several years his elder. The consummate gentleman, he was happy to meet this rather unusual match for a date, but was elated to discover he had counted from the wrong side and it was the auburn-haired, shapely beauty Carol Liebert he was destined to meet. From their first date, they never left each other's sides.

Billy has always been deeply committed to giving disadvantaged kids opportunities to create positive lives. Similarly, Carol saw her calling to serve God by serving God's children. In a time when it was extremely rare for women to become ministers, Carol did not concern herself with gender inequities; rather she was focused on taking care of others. She worked long hours, always there for all who sought her strength, kindness and creativity. She also studied hard at the Presbyterian Seminary to eventually become a minister of Christian education.

During a time of great social change, Billy and Carol strove to make very real changes in the lives of everyone they could, and did so with humility all to honor God. Fifty years later, this commitment to God and the greater good has strengthened their love exponentially and I, their lucky daughter, marvel at their extraordinary partnership, at the mutual sacrifices they continue to make and just how lovingly they walk through this world.

LEEAN GILLBRANNOCK

Louisville 40206 -

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Readers' letters | Christmas spirit, champions and a loving couple

I was standing in front of a big box store ringing a bell for the Salvation Army red kettle. An old couple shuffled out of the store and started across the parking lot while I tinkled away on that